Background/Objective: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in Saudi Arabia, yet challenges remain in diagnosis and treatment accessibility. This study examined healthcare practitioners’ clinical approaches to ADHD diagnosis and management in Saudi Arabia and identified gaps in practice. Methods: This cross-sectional study included healthcare practitioners working in various healthcare settings across Saudi Arabia. The sample included psychiatrists, pediatricians, psychologists, and other relevant specialists. Clinical practices regarding ADHD diagnosis, the use of ADHD screening tools, adherence to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) criteria, treatment strategies, medication prescription protocols, and reported challenges were investigated. Results: A total of 43 licensed healthcare practitioners with a minimum of 2 years of clinical experience managing ADHD participated. Among participants, 81.4% were psychiatrists, and 53.5% managed ADHD cases in children/adolescents exclusively. Approximately 86.0% of the sample used screening tools, with the Vanderbilt Assessment Scale being the most used (67.6%). However, only 55.8% addressed all 18 DSM-5 ADHD symptoms during the evaluation. Combined pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment approaches (74.4%) were preferred. Interestingly, only 7.0% prescribed amphetamine-based stimulants due to the lack of clear guidelines. Key barriers included a lack of early screening programs (65.1%), limited ADHD medication option availability (51.2%), and extended referral waiting lists (44.2%). Conclusions: Significant variability in ADHD diagnosis and treatment practices was evident among healthcare providers in Saudi Arabia. Specifically, a large proportion of healthcare providers do not fully comply with the standard DSM-5 diagnosis criteria. Major barriers to ADHD diagnosis and treatment in Saudi Arabia include extended referral waiting lists, limited availability of psychostimulant medications, and standardized clinical guidelines. A national ADHD protocol must be advocated, and access to diverse treatment options should be improved.

Background: Practitioners, including physical therapists, are not proficiently trained to evaluate and treat individuals with temporomandibular disorders. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the knowledge and awareness of examining and treating temporomandibular disorders among physical therapists in Saudi Arabia. Methods: An online questionnaire was distributed to physical therapists on different social media platforms. The survey covered demographics characteristics and knowledge of examining and treating temporomandibular disorders. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Results: A total of 143 participants with a mean of age of 30 (± 6.6) years participated in this study. The majority of participants (n = 109; 76.2%) did not take educational courses on temporomandibular disorders; more than half (n = 84; 58.7%) had never evaluated or treated individuals with temporomandibular disorders. Most physical therapists were aware that they could treat individuals with temporomandibular disorders (n = 121, 84.6%). The most common evaluation methods were temporomandibular joint palpation, jaw movement during opening and closing, and palpation of the masticatory muscles (n = 56, 95%); (n = 49, 83%); (n = 48, 81%), respectively. The common methods used for treatment were therapeutic exercise strengthening, manual therapy, and patient education (n = 49; 83%; n = 46; 78%; n = 33; 56%), respectively. Thirty-one participants (53%) referred patients to other practitioners. Conclusion: This preliminary study indicates there is a fair level of knowledge, low confidence, low education, and low clinical experience for physical therapists in the evaluation and treatment of temporomandibular disorders in Saudi Arabia. More attention is needed on physical therapy education programs and post-graduate education courses on temporomandibular disorders.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the level of breastfeeding (BF) knowledge and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders associated with BF among mothers. Materials and Methods: The participants were given a questionnaire containing 20 questions regarding their knowledge of BF practices and the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders. The responses were reported as mean, standard deviation (SD), number (n), frequencies (f), and percentages (%). Results: The study included 941 participants aged 18 to 49, with a median age of 31-35. Nearly half (47.9%; n = 451) of participants had no knowledge of the health advantages of BF. Furthermore, 82.6% (n = 777) of participants did not receive educational courses or information about childbirth during pregnancy or postnatal. Moreover, 42.7% (n = 402) reported BF-related musculoskeletal pain. The results showed that the least common information provided by doctors or other healthcare providers to mothers was that BF could reduce the risk of some types of cancer (13.6%; n = 128) and asthma and shortness of breath in children (14.1%; n = 133). The most common information was that breastfed children are at a lower risk of getting sick than formula-fed children (41.7%; n = 392). Conclusions: The study showed a lack of knowledge regarding the benefits of BF and a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders among BF mothers in Saudi Arabia. We strongly recommend increasing the number of educational courses that provide knowledge and skills related to BF practices and appropriate positioning during BF.

Background: Lower body positive pressure (LBPP) may provide a novel intervention for gait training in neurological conditions. Nonetheless, studies investigating the safety and feasibility of LBPP in patients with stroke are insufficient. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of LBPP as a rehabilitation intervention for individuals with chronic stroke. Methods: Individuals with chronic stroke were recruited from the community to participate in LBPP gait training three times a week for six weeks. The LBPP’s safety and feasibility were documented throughout the study and at the end of six weeks. Safety and feasibility referred to the incidence of adverse events, complications, the participant and therapist satisfaction questionnaire, and the device limitation including but not limited to technical issues and physical constraints. In addition, blood pressure, pulse rate, and oxygen saturation were taken pre- and post-session. Dependent t-tests were used to analyze the difference between assessments. A Wilcoxon test was used to assess the ordinal data (Trial registration number NCT04767334). Results: Nine individuals (one female, eight males) aged 57 ± 15.4 years were enrolled. All participants completed the intervention without adverse events. All participants reported positive scores from 4 (very satisfying) to 5 (extremely satisfying) in the safety and feasibility questionnaire. No significant differences were observed in blood pressure and oxygen saturation during the intervention sessions. However, significant increases were observed in heart rate from 82.6 ± 9.1 beats/min (pre-session) to 88.1 ± 6.8 beats/min (post-session) (p = 0.027). Conclusions: LBPP is a safe and feasible rehabilitation tool to use with individuals with chronic stroke.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of global mortality. Risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, low physical activity, weak handgrip strength, and high body mass index are commonly associated with CVD. This study explores risk factors, physical activity behaviors, and handgrip strength in adults diagnosed with atherosclerotic CVD in Arar city, Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted with 100 patients with CVD admitted to a local cardiac center between August 2023 and April 2024. Participants completed the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire to assess physical activity. Handgrip strength was measured using a handgrip strength dynamometer. Additional clinical, demographic, and anthropometric data, including left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) and hemoglobin A1c levels, were retrieved from the center’s records. Differences in physical activity and handgrip strength between diabetes groups (normal, prediabetic, and diabetic) and LVEF groups (normal LVEF, mildly reduced LVEF, and reduced LVEF) were analyzed using analysis of variance, while setting P < .05 as the criterion for significant difference. Of the participants (88% men, mean age 55.6 ± 11.9 years), 73% were insufficiently active, as per the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire score. Handgrip strength and physical activity scores were higher among non-diabetic and normal LVEF groups compared to the other groups. Nonetheless, differences between groups were not statistically significant ( P > .05). Most patients exhibited common CVD risk factors, such as increased body mass index, dyslipidemia, and smoking history, with 36% having single vessel disease and 38% reduced LVEF. This study highlights low physical activity levels and weak handgrip strength in CVD patients in Arar city, highlighting a critical need for tailored public health initiatives. Programs promoting physical activity and resistance training may enhance cardiac health and mitigate risk. Region-specific insights inform national strategies to address reducing the risk of CVD in Saudi Arabia.